Gameweek 15 in the Swedish Allsvenskan will see Brommapojkarna taking on top-half opponents Hammarby at Gimsta IP in Stockholm on Friday evening.
The hosts enter this contest with 18 points after 14 league games in 2024, while the visitors have managed 22 over the same period and are four places above their opponents in sixth.
Match preview
© Imago
After just about managing to avoid the drop upon their return to the top flight last term, Brommapojkarna have fared slightly better this season, currently seven points clear of the bottom two sides heading to the halfway mark of the campaign.
BP opened daylight between themselves and the dotted line last week when they bounced back from a 3-0 loss to Elfsborg to secure an important 1-0 away win against relegation candidates Kalmar on the road.
Olof Mellberg's side have now avoided defeat in four of their last five matches (W2 D2 L1), which is a notable improvement following a five-match winless streak between mid-April and June.
However, Brommapojkarna have not been at their best on home soil this season, managing to earn just six of a possible 18 points on offer, while their one victory in six home matches is the joint-worst win rate of any side in the division.
While the visitors have been the more successful side in matches between these two over the years, the hosts did pick up a 1-0 win at this venue last season as well as a 3-1 victory in a friendly during the international break.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Hammarby are likely feeling that the international break had come at the worst time possible for them, as before the stoppage, they had rattled off three wins in a row for the first time this season.
Since the league was halted, Bajen have not won a match, losing the friendly against this opponent before a goalless draw away to GAIS and a 1-0 defeat against fallen Swedish giants IFK Gothenburg.
Notably, Kim Hellberg's side have now failed to find the back of the net in two consecutive matches, which is a first for the season, and comes after they netted eight in their three preceding league games.
Hammarby's record on the road has been below average this season, as they suffered four consecutive away defeats at the start of the campaign and have earned only seven of their 22-point tally away from Tele2 Arena.
Still, given their historic record in this fixture, the visitors will fancy their chances of getting a result here, and a victory could see them move as high as fourth place in the league standings by the end of the weekend.
Team News
Daleho Irandust made way for Andre Calisir as the only change in the last match and given that the side came away with the points, we are likely to see Mellberg continue with the extra man in midfield here.
In terms of injuries, Kaare Barslund and Gustav Sandberg Magnusson are out until next month, while Liam Tahwildaran returned from a long-term absence last week and could make the starting 11 this weekend.
Hammarby, on the other hand, are unable to call upon centre-back Frederik Winther, who sustained a cruciate ligament injury in April, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Additionally, Mads Fenger and Oliver Dovin are both recovering from muscle injuries and are expected to remain sidelined until the end of the month. Davor Blazevic will continue between the sticks in Dovin's absence.
Brommapojkarna possible starting lineup:
Sidklev; Jensen, Bjoerkander, Abrahamsson, Christensen; Fritzson, Calisir, Andersson, Odefalk, Jakobsen, Vasic
Hammarby possible starting lineup:
Blazevic; Skoglund, Eriksson, Vagic, Pinas; Hammar, Tekie; Toure, Besara, Schellhas; Erabi
We say: Brommapojkarna 1-1 Hammarby
While Hammarby have been the more successful side in the encounter historically, Brommapojkarna are the ones that have secured better results lately, including holding league leaders Malmo to a 2-2 draw at this venue just before the international break.
Based on current form, there is little to separate these two, and we feel there will be nothing to split them at the full-time whistle in this match as well.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
